Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Scientist - Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection

The closing date is 05 October 2025

Job summary

Are you a Clinical Scientist passionate about applying your physics expertise to improve patient care and safety?

We're looking for a skilled Clinical Scientist to join our Medical Physics team at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

We're a new service working in an innovative and exciting partnership with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and regional centres. We offer a supportive and dynamic work environment where your contributions are valued, alongside excellent career development opportunities.

Our team has a strong culture of training and development, you'll be encouraged and mentored to grow your scientific and leadership skills. This is an excellent opportunity to join a service at an exciting stage of growth and help shape the future of medical physics in Somerset.

Main duties of the job

As part of a dedicated team of Clinical Scientists, Clinical Technologists and a Radiation Assurance Manager, you'll play a key role in delivering the specialist clinical and technical services of the department. You'll contribute directly to testing the quality, safety and optimisation of a wide range of highly complex diagnostic and interventional equipment, ensuring patients receive safe, effective care every day.

This role combines hands-on clinical science, problem-solving and innovation, with the chance to work directly with healthcare professionals, engineers, and regulatory bodies to ensure patients receive safe, high-quality care.

If you're looking for a rewarding role where your scientific expertise will directly improve patient outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

19 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-PU-3140

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Clinical Scientist in Medical Physics, you will:

  • Provide expert support in X-ray quality assurance and radiation protection advice for diagnostic radiology services.
  • Work closely with Medical Physics Experts (MPEs) and Radiation Protection Advisers (RPAs), contributing to critical safety testing, patient dose optimisation, and compliance with legislation.
  • Lead the local Quality Control programme with the support of senior colleagues.
  • Play a key role in training and mentoring trainee Clinical Scientists and Technologists, sharing your expertise to develop the next generation.
  • Be actively involved in research, development, and service improvement projects, with opportunities to present your work nationally and internationally.

    Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details.

    Job description

    Job responsibilities

    As a Clinical Scientist in Medical Physics, you will:

    • Provide expert support in X-ray quality assurance and radiation protection advice for diagnostic radiology services.
    • Work closely with Medical Physics Experts (MPEs) and Radiation Protection Advisers (RPAs), contributing to critical safety testing, patient dose optimisation, and compliance with legislation.
    • Lead the local Quality Control programme with the support of senior colleagues.
    • Play a key role in training and mentoring trainee Clinical Scientists and Technologists, sharing your expertise to develop the next generation.
    • Be actively involved in research, development, and service improvement projects, with opportunities to present your work nationally and internationally.

      Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details.

      Person Specification

      Qualifications

      Essential

      • BSc (Hons) in Physics or other relevant subject, or equivalentRelevant higher degree (eg MSc, MPhil, PhD) or equivalentHas completed and passed the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) or equivalent, or on track to complete within six months of appointment.Is, or is working towards state registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health & Care Professions Council

      Experience

      Essential

      • Significant experience of the full range of Medical Physics workThe use of highly complex Diagnostic X-ray equipment and highly complex specialist testing equipment and techniques employed to measure safety and performance of radiological equipmentInterpretation and judgement of measurements to ensure compliance of equipment with legislation and guidance
      Person Specification

      Qualifications

      Essential

      • BSc (Hons) in Physics or other relevant subject, or equivalentRelevant higher degree (eg MSc, MPhil, PhD) or equivalentHas completed and passed the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) or equivalent, or on track to complete within six months of appointment.Is, or is working towards state registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health & Care Professions Council

      Experience

      Essential

      • Significant experience of the full range of Medical Physics workThe use of highly complex Diagnostic X-ray equipment and highly complex specialist testing equipment and techniques employed to measure safety and performance of radiological equipmentInterpretation and judgement of measurements to ensure compliance of equipment with legislation and guidance

      Disclosure and Barring Service Check

      This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

      Certificate of Sponsorship

      Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

      From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

      UK Registration

      Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

      Additional information

      Disclosure and Barring Service Check

      This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

      Certificate of Sponsorship

      Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

      From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

      UK Registration

      Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

      Employer details

      Employer name

      Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

      Address

      Musgrove Park Hospital

      Musgrove Road

      Taunton

      Somerset

      TA1 5DA


      Employer's website

      https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

      Employer details

      Employer name

      Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

      Address

      Musgrove Park Hospital

      Musgrove Road

      Taunton

      Somerset

      TA1 5DA


      Employer's website

      https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

      Employer contact details

      For questions about the job, contact:

      Hiring Manager

      Michael Barnard

      michael.barnard@somersetft.nhs.uk

      01823343757

      Details

      Date posted

      19 September 2025

      Pay scheme

      Agenda for change

      Band

      Band 7

      Salary

      £47,810 to £54,710 a year

      Contract

      Permanent

      Working pattern

      Full-time

      Reference number

      184-OL-PU-3140

      Job locations

      Musgrove Park Hospital

      Musgrove Road

      Taunton

      Somerset

      TA1 5DA


      Supporting documents

      Privacy notice

      Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)